We as employees for the Indiana Department Of Corrections are pleading for your help in regards to problems we have been experiencing with our current uniforms. We feel that you are our only hope in resolving our issues, which is why we have sent this petition to you, Sir; rather than the Commissioner of the Indiana Dept. Of Corrections.

The Class A uniforms that we are required to wear as Correctional Officers are un-comfortable, outdated, ill-fitting, and of poor quality. This uniform, which is commonly referred to as the Bus Driver uniform, is not only ridiculously expensive, but is impractical as well. We are confident that there is a less expensive, more comfortable, more professional, and more modern uniform that we could wear, that would save taxpayers a large sum of money per year.

The uniforms we now wear are very uncomfortable because of the numerous physical duties we perform on a daily basis. The hats are very heavy, and the head ring of the hat is made of hard plastic. Numerous staff complain of headaches from wearing these bulky, uncomfortable covers. The pants are of such poor quality that officers are always ripping out the crotch area of the pants. This occurs on a more than regular basis, and is both embarrassing and an inconvenience. It is embarrassment because it many times occurs in front of the offenders, and is usually such a rip that exposes our undergarments. It is an inconvenience because it is difficult to get replacement clothing because of uniform shortages. The clothing replacement system that is currently being utilized requires us to order our clothing from a central location, which can take days, even weeks to acquire our clothing! They do keep some clothing on hand for such instances, but they rarely fit properly and are usually of hand-me-down quality. There have been many instances where officers have had to wear their own civilian clothes to work because of these problems. Having to wear your own civilian clothing to work as an officer is not only unprofessional, but unacceptable as well. We have collectively listed many reasons why our uniforms should be reviewed and changed to something more modern and practical.

1. SELF ESTEEM, STAFF MORALE, & PROFESSIONALISM

Staff have expressed to one another that we look and feel more professional when wearing a different uniform, such as the Class C uniform. Self esteem and morale is very important in our line of duty to the public. If you feel you look good, then you feel good, and perform well.

2. EFFICIENCY & CONFIDENCE

Our current Class A uniforms make it difficult to perform the many physical tasks that are required of us on a daily basis. We could perform more efficiently, and confidently if we were not constantly having to be careful not to rip our pants out. Many officers have ripped out there pants just by walking or stooping, let alone running to the many disturbances, calls for assistance, and medical emergencies that are commonplace in our field of duty.

3. HEALTH

As mentioned before, the hats we are required to wear cause headaches to many, due to their hefty weight, and the fact that they are made of hard materials.

4. PERCEPTION

Many officers who have had the opportunity to wear both Class A and Class C uni-forms, say that they get a more positive receptiveness from the offenders, whether it be in dealing with disruptions, or assisting with their problems. They act much more respectful to an officer in a more military style uniform than to one that resembles a key-stone cop.

5. TAXPAYERS MONEY

The Class A uniform is much more expensive than the Class C uniform, or the many other possible uniform alternatives that could be used to replace the Class A. We have been told by our Union Representatives that there have been considerations in the past to change our uniform style, but these considerations have been shot down regularly by people who do not wear the uniform on a daily basis, or at all for that matter. It is only obvious, as we are sure you will agree, that those who wear this uniform on a daily basis are the people that can give the best input. We would like to follow suit, as most other law oriented agencies have done, and change to a more comfortable, practical, military style uni-form.

Times have changed in the past 20 or 30 years, and so has our profession. Law Enforcement has kept themselves in sync with these changes. Because we are a very important and often forgotten part of the Law Enforcement System, we too would like to keep in sync with these changes. It would not only benefit the many Officers of the Indiana Department of Corrections, but would benefit the Department itself, along with the hardworking taxpayers of the State of Indiana. Every pair of Class A pants that are ripped out is more money taken out of the taxpayers pocket. The Class C uniforms are designed for better mobility, as well as utility, and are only taken to Officers Clothing to be replaced because of the many years of wear and tear they have endured, not because they have ripped out or torn. Likewise, the Class C hats are not hefty, expensive, headache causing attire.

Thank you Sir for your time, and we ask that you greatly consider a resolution to our current uniform problems. We often times feel as though we go unheard on many of our issues, but this is something that we all feel is very important to a large spectrum of people.

Respectively speaking on behalf of all Indiana Correctional Officers,

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24 December 201480. Stephen JbeamerLook at the Price the Sate pays for hats. Class C....... Bulk purchase approximately $2.00 Each with another $5.00 for the embroidery badge. Class A hat..... approximately $73.00 total with all accesorries.

26 July 201474. Eric WWe need durable clothing that can meet our job requirements. Many times staff with Class "A" uniforms are posted at stations that utilize the class "c" uniform. If staff are going to be interchanged between posts, it would be wise to have a uniform that c